There is at least one contemporary gadol who holds that learning torah is sufficient reason to benefit from government programs lechatchila. One reason is: since learning torah and thereby properly living according to the torah is a benefit for society in general it is in society’s best interest to have such people supported by the welfare system and other government programs. This argument has been made regarding the situation in Eretz Yisrael as well where the government programs support(at least partially) many who are learning torah. While I personally take a different view for various reasons, this is a valid halachic opinion and perhaps those who take government programs lechatchila, follow this view. From reading the comments here however, I suspect taking government programs is not the real issue. There are those who do not have the proper chashivus for Limud V’kiyum Hatorah, and it therefore bothers them that there are those who dedicate their lives to Limud V’kiyum Hatorah. Refuah Sheleimah.
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